For the next four moons, Ashpaw trained continuously in the Dark Forest. At the Gathering, she had seen the poor treatment of peace and extended her ambition; she would take over all five Clans. It was dusk and near the beginning of newleaf.
"Hey, Ashpaw,"a female voice sounded behind her.
"Hi, Bigpaw,"she replied, not taking her eyes off of her sparrow.
"Isn't your assessment tomorrow?"
"Yeah,"Aspaw meowed.
"I'm so-"Bigpaw stopped as she reeled back, letting out a disgusted whimper.
A moment later, she realised what the problem was. Irritation sparked through her; why did her denmate have to make such a fuss about rain?
A splot landed on her nose, then it sped up. Typical newleaf. However, Bigpaw was acting like a kit.
She squeaked with delight as a puddle formed beside her, then she flicked water into Ashpaw's face.
Ashpaw glared at her. Bigpaw smiled back. "Oh?"Ashpaw blinked,"So it's going to be be like that?"
As the apprentice nodded, she flicked a pawfull of drizzle into her eyes.
Bigpaw purred and splatted some into her mouth. She dodged nimbly, laughing as she did so.
"C'mon!"Bigpaw squealed.
"Alright!"Ashpaw threw half of the puddle water at her. Bigpaw ducked, and it hit-
Oh. No.
A drenched Sharpstar inhaled, "Apprentices!"he bellowed. Every cat turned to look.
"Oops,"Bigpaw whispered as she neared her father.
Ashpaw raised her head and met Sharpstar's eyes defiantly; if he hadn't been having a long, serious talk with Fidgetflame, he probably would have joined in.
"Why,"Sharpstar breathed,"Are you behaving like kits?"
"I-I..."Bigpaw began,"I'm sorry. I was encouraging Ashpaw; I dodged...and-and..."
Sharpstar ignored his kit,"Ashpaw," growled he,"What have you got to say for yourself?"
Ashpaw gazed at him,"If you judge us for an accident, then you are to blane for Heatface's death,"
                         ☆☆☆

She spent the rest of the day clearing the elders of ticks and changing their bedding.
"Ashpaw?"Bigpaw had come in just after sunhigh,"Do you need any help?"
"No,"Ashpaw had spat,"Last time you tried to help, your fox-dung father blamed me,"
Bigpaw had backed away cautiously, but not before Ashpaw got to add to the scar on her muzzle. She'd yelped and left the den, and she knew that Bigpaw wouldn't tell on her.
She rolled her eyes. Way to spend my last day as an apprentice.

Ashpaw awoke later to One-eye leaning over her. "You spoke well today,"he meowed, "But you also made a fool of yourself; why would you join in Bigpaw's water fight?"
"Use your mind, would you, One? I stopped suspicion from growing if they think I'd still join  in with a kit's game,"she responded.
"Hmm... I guess,"One-eye meowed,"Come on; we have to plan our next move,"
The Dark Forest tom led her to where Violetslash and Hickorypelt were. Once again, a lightning bolt of pure energy jolted through Ashpaw as she met Hickorypelt's stunning, amber gaze. He flinched slightly, as if he couldn't adjust to the passion between them. Reluctantly, Ashpaw ignored Hickorypelt and tried to focus on the other two villians. They gazed expectantly at her.
"Yes?"she asked, confused.
"I said: What do you think we should do?"Violetslash snorted, clearly aware of what had occupied her mind.
"Oh. Right. Okay. So, first, I become a warrior, then earn the trust of my clanmates-and we may or may not kill some of them along the way; we need to give this plan a little more evil flare. A season after Bigpaw becomes a warrior, I need you to kill Snowwater. Until Sharpstar doesn't appoint a new deputy, you slaughter every deputy there is unless it's me,"
"Then, on the night that he makes the announcement, you send Sugarlaugh or Fidgetflame a dream of something that relates to my warrior name, like a feather covered in ash for Ashfeather, protecting ShadowClan. Sharpstar'll appoint me deputy and around a season after..."Ashpaw unsheathed her claws as she finished explaining her plan.
One-eye nodded,"Okay! But how long fo you suppose that will take?"
She examined her claws,"Around four seasons,"